Identification

• Chronic pain disorder is identified by pain that lasts for at least three months. Chronic pain can be a permanent condition. While there are cases where there is no known cause for the pain, there are illnesses that can be diagnosed. It can stem from an initial injury or illness such as a herniated disk, or it can be the result of a chronic condition such as arthritis, migraines, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, fibromyalgia or cancer. Lower back pain is the most common type of chronic pain disorder. This is followed by headaches and migraines, neck pain and then facial pain. It is most likely to affect individuals over the age of 65.
  
  

Theories/Speculation

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  Scientists know very little about the cause and treatment of chronic pain. Normally, pain is a signal that something is wrong. When an area of your body is injured or when you have an illness, the nerves closest to that area send signals to the brain. Eventually, these pain signals stop as the situation is resolved. In the case of chronic pain, for reasons not well understood, these pain signals continue after the injury or illness has subsided. This may happen when the chemicals that relay the pain information to your brain are not working properly.
  
  

Stopping the Cycle

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  The most important component to managing chronic pain is to disrupt the vicious cycle of pain. If you have chronic pain, you may have a tendency to become depressed, anxious, less mobile, not sleep well and not seek help. This leads to more pain. More pain leads to more depression, more isolation and more anxiety. No matter what the cause of your chronic pain disorder, you need to find ways to lessen the pain so you can break this downward cycle.
  
  

Pain Medication

• There are hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications to help you control your pain. It is important to discuss your options with your doctor to find the best approach for your situation. Since long-term use of pain medication can have detrimental effects or be habit forming, you need regular medical care to avoid developing secondary problems. Using pain medication is often not the treatment method of choice due to its side effects such as drowsiness. However, sometimes it is necessary to help break the cycle. If your chronic pain disorder is so severe that you are becoming isolated, unable to take advantage of other treatment possibilities or enjoy daily activities, taking medication can help you to manage your symptoms so you can function and try other approaches.
  
  

Yoga, Exercise and Tai Chi

• Yoga, exercise and tai chi are all helpful in managing chronic pain disorder. When you are in pain it may seem to make more sense to move less to avoid aggravating your condition. However, gentle exercise done at an appropriate level and staying away from movements that are ill advised for your condition will make a big difference. As you move gently, your muscles become stronger and more flexible, which in turn takes pressure off of painful joints. When you do not move enough, your muscles become tight and weak, which actually leads to more pain. A well educated personal trainer, physical therapist or occupational therapist can assess your situation and recommend the right amount and type of exercise for you. If you find exercise on land is too painful, try exercising in a pool. The water will help to relax your muscles and will take pressure off painful areas.
  
  

Meditation

• A regular meditation practice can go a long way in helping to manage your chronic pain disorder symptoms. Through meditation, you learn to shift your mind away from everyday thoughts and worries and instead focus on your breath, a word or other relaxing object. This signals the brain that everything is OK and it calms down the activity of the nervous system. This mental break also gives you a physical break, which can help to calm your symptoms. There are many forms of meditation, and with experimentation you can find the right fit for you.